Bentonville Schools public meetings in 2024
17 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville School Board will vote on a $1,375,022 interior remodel of Lincoln Junior High School, the third phase of renovations at that campus. The board will also receive the district's annual performance report and hear a conference update on artificial intelligence and career education. Consent items include approval of minutes, enrollment and transportation reports, and a formal expulsion.
- Action item: Approve $1,375,022 for Lincoln Junior High School Remodel Phase III (flooring, ceiling, cabinetry, SPED classroom, generator)
- Action item: Approve addition of one mechanic position ($49,933) to the Transportation Department
- Information item: Annual Report to the Public with 2024 assessment data (Atlas, NWEA MAP, ACT) and graduate statistics
- Information item: Mid-States Benchmarking Consortium conference takeaways on AI, behavior response, and career education
- Consent agenda includes a formal expulsion of a 10th-grade male from BHS Virtual through fall 2024, with re-enrollment Jan. 1, 2025
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The board voted to approve Arts Integration at Sugar Creek Elementary and a Leadership Academy at Thomas Jefferson Elementary for the 2025-26 school year. It also approved a $444,252 net increase to the custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions to raise starting wages. The consent agenda included three formal expulsions of high school students through spring 2025.
- Approved new Parent Choice models: Arts Integration at SCES and Leadership Academy at TJES for 2025-26
- Approved $444,252 net annual increase to custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions to raise starting wages
- Approved addition of one Commissioned School Security Officer (CSSO) for Compass Campus at $43,663
- Approved policy revisions for personal business leave and school choice
- Consent agenda included three formal expulsions: two through fall 2024, one through spring 2025
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board of Education voted to approve Draft A of the 2025-2026 academic calendar, which includes a shortened first week, two-week winter break, and seven inclement weather days. The board also certified a millage rollback from 48.0 to 46.8 mills due to increased property values, saving $120 annually on a $500,000 home. Other actions included approving the consent agenda, financial report, and course additions/deletions.
- Approved 2025-2026 calendar Draft A (students start Tuesday, last day May 27, 2026)
- Certified millage rollback to 46.8 mills (from 48.0) for real property assessed in 2024
- Approved consent agenda including 7 student expulsions from COMPASS and BHS
- Approved financial report showing $63.6M fund balance, $8.3M operating deficit year-to-date
- Approved 8 new courses and 11 course deletions for grades 7-12
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a work session on October 10, 2024, receiving an information-only update on the district's 10-year facilities master plan. The plan projects enrollment growth, new construction (including a sixth middle school in 2031), and capital projects. The board also approved district transfers via consent agenda and adjourned.
- 10-year facilities plan update: projects enrollment, new construction (Bentonville West High School expansion opened Jan 2024; sixth middle school planned for fall 2031)
- Capital projects list includes completed secure vestibules at Apple Glen Elementary, Elm Tree Elementary, and Ardis Ann Middle School
- District transfers approved via consent agenda
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education is meeting to approve the fiscal year 2025 budget and a $10 million transfer from the operating fund to the building fund for future construction. The board also receives an informational update on the CKLA literacy curriculum implementation and handles routine consent agenda items.
- Approved $10.0 million transfer from operating fund to building fund for future construction
- Approved FY2025 proposed budget with operating revenues exceeding expenditures by $1.1 million
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities/enrollment/transportation reports, district transfers, and CACFP participation for Adventure Club, Building Bridges, and Tennie Russell Primary School
- Received informational update on CKLA curriculum implementation and Eureka Math² adoption
- Recognized Dr. Debbie Jones as Superintendent of the Year
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on August 20, 2024, and approved the July 2024 financial report and the surplus of two vehicles. The board also received information on the 2024-25 strategic plan focus goals, which include student mental health, focused curriculum, career-focused expansion, and climate. Recognitions were given for the Purple Star School designation and the Extra Mile Award.
- Approved July 2024 financial report; fund balance $79.5M, down $925,000 from last year
- Approved surplus of 2014 GMC Acadia (187,996 miles) and 1995 International Bus (212,354 miles)
- All Bentonville Schools received Arkansas Purple Star School designation; district named Purple Star District
- Strategic plan focus goals for 2024-25: student mental health, focused curriculum, career-focused expansion, climate
- Consent agenda approved including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation reports, and district transfers
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education held a personnel meeting on August 5, 2024. The board approved the agenda, consent agenda (district transfers), and a personnel packet. An executive session was held for a reason not specified in the agenda.
- Approved district transfers (consent agenda)
- Approved personnel packet (names in attached PDFs)
- Held executive session under Arkansas FOIA
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education approved the June financial report and surplus of seven vehicles, policy revisions for the 2024-2025 school year, and a pay increase for Kelly Education substitutes effective July 17, 2024. The board also received information on back-to-school professional development and AP scores. All actions were approved unanimously.
- Approved financial report showing $80.9 million fund balance and surplus of seven vehicles (1997-2015 models) for sale on govdeals.org
- Approved policy revisions to policies 1.1, 1.2, 1.14, and 2.1 for the 2024-2025 school year
- Approved substitute pay increase: licensed subs to $135/day, bachelors to $120/day, high school/associates to $105/day, with estimated $96,250 impact
- Received update on AP scores: 2,117 students (36% of high schoolers) enrolled in AP courses; 68% of AP students scored 3 or higher
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities report, transportation report, district transfers, and proposed budget & election documents
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on June 18, 2024, and approved several construction projects and the property insurance renewal. The board also received an informational report on screen time and approved the consent agenda, which included routine reports and plans.
- Approved $2,826,411 GMP for BHS Soccer/Track Locker Room addition, starting summer 2024, completion by February 2025
- Approved $3,481,958 GMP for Transportation Fueling Station Replacement and Parking Lot Addition, starting summer 2024, completion by March 2025
- Approved property insurance renewal for 2024-25 through Stephens/Alliant for $1,324,079
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation, school choice, transfers, improvement plans, and parent engagement plans
- Received informational report on screen time and digital citizenship
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on May 21, 2024, to approve several action items, including a $1,638,250 guaranteed maximum price for the Ignite Annex & Student Services facility update and a $923,407 GMP for flooring replacement at Cooper and Centerton Gamble Elementary. The board also approved the consent agenda, policy revisions, and the financial report. A recognition was given to Corporal Melissa Fox with the Extra Mile Award.
- Approved $1,638,250 GMP for Ignite Annex & Student Services facility update, starting summer 2024
- Approved $923,407 GMP for flooring replacement at Cooper & Centerton Gamble Elementary, completion by August 2, 2024
- Approved consent agenda including formal expulsions of four BHS/Virtual students
- Approved policy revisions for 2024-2025, including new policy 8.48 on license maintenance
- Approved financial report showing $65.6 million fund balance at 83% of year
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education held a personnel meeting on May 8, 2024, approving the agenda, consent agenda (district transfers), and a personnel packet as presented. The board also entered executive session before the personnel vote. All motions passed unanimously.
- Approved district transfers (consent agenda)
- Approved personnel packet (Arkansas Code 6-13-620)
- Executive session held per Arkansas FOIA
- Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on April 16, 2024, and approved a 4.8% salary increase across all salary schedules, capped at $2,500 annually, costing about $5.08 million. The board also renewed Aramark's food service contract for 2024-25 and discussed employee benefits, including rejecting a proposed $10,000 hiring bonus for teachers. A presentation on Lincoln Junior High's intervention program was given for information.
- Approved 4.8% salary increase across all salary schedules, capped at $2,500 annually, effective 2024-25, costing approximately $5,078,000
- Authorized renewal of Aramark food service contract from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, with per-meal fees of $0.1681 (administration) and $0.0630 (management)
- Discussed employee benefits; administration recommended against a proposed $10,000 hiring bonus for teachers earning under $60,000
- Consent agenda included formal expulsion of an 8th grade male at FJHS/Virtual through spring 2024, with re-enrollment fall 2024
- Recognized Amanda Hinds, Lincoln Junior High science teacher, with the Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a work session on March 27, 2024, approving the agenda and consent agenda, which included a resolution for an inclement weather calendar waiver. The main discussion item was the Downtown Master Plan, presented by Dr. Debbie Jones, with attached assessments of several school properties. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
- Approved consent agenda including Board of Education Resolution for Inclement Weather Calendar Waiver
- Discussed Downtown Master Plan with assessments of Old High, RE Baker, Sugar Creek, Thomas Jefferson, and Lincoln Jr High
- Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education approved the adoption of Eureka Math for grades K-4 at an initial cost of $669,128.95, and approved a staff childcare program with estimated costs of $271,537 for Phase I and $1,189,553 for Phase II. The board also approved the consent agenda, financial report, and personnel packet, and recognized retiring computer science teacher Dan Eddy with an Extra Mile Award. The meeting included an executive session and adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on February 20, 2024, and took several actions, including approving a $814,690 roof replacement for Bentonville High School North, authorizing a $20 million investment in US Treasuries, and approving revised school calendars for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The board also approved the consent agenda, financial report, and policy revisions. The meeting included recognitions and public comments.
- Approved $814,690 GMP for BHS North roof replacement by M2 Roofing LLC
- Authorized $20,000,000 investment in US Treasuries with BOK Financial Securities
- Approved revised 2023/2024 and modified 2024/2025 school calendars, switching to alternative calendar
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation reports, and district transfers
- Approved financial report showing $89.4 million fund balance
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on January 16, 2024, and took action on several items, including accepting the Fiscal Year 2023 audit report, approving the 2024-2025 academic calendar (Draft A), and renewing the professional liability insurance policy. The board also approved the consent agenda, financial report, and personnel packet, and received an informational update on the Impact Program for substance abuse prevention.
- Approved FY2023 audit with unmodified opinion from Landmark CPA
- Approved 2024-2025 calendar (Draft A) after staff vote (Licensed: 688-454, Classified: 194-196)
- Renewed professional liability insurance for $35,853 (2024-25), up from $34,113
- Approved financial report showing $86.4M fund balance, $18.3M operating surplus at midpoint
- Heard Impact Program review: $854 per Saturday session, ~$15,372 annual cost
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools board held a special meeting to consider a student expulsion appeal. After an executive session, the board voted unanimously to uphold the administration's recommendation for expulsion. The meeting adjourned at 5:43 pm.
- Student expulsion hearing held
- Executive session for deliberation on expulsion appeal
- Motion to uphold administration's expulsion recommendation carried unanimously
- Board voted 5-0 to uphold expulsion